Astypalea Architecture

Given the island’s geographical position between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, the architecture of Astypalea stands out for its unique fusion of elements from both island complexes.

Astypalea Town (or Chora), the main settlement, provides the best sample of the local architecture. Sprawling on the hillslopes beneath the towering Venetian Castle of Astypalea, houses are cubical and whitewashed, with sky-blue doors and windows just as in the Cyclades. At the same time, many of them feature wooden balconies, lintels and arches that betray Dodecanesian and Venetian influences. Residences are typically two-storeyed, with beautiful external staircases. Narrow cobblestone alleys, quaint chapels, flights of steps that follow the natural inclination of the ground, and a series of eight traditional stone-built windmills complete the picture of one of the most picturesque settlements in the Aegean.

Visitors can enjoy their stay in hotels and accommodations that have been built with the traditional architecture of Astypalea in mind.